Friday sees two Irish horse racing fixtures going to post on the flat and over the jumps; we pick out our best bets for Kilbeggan and Down Royal.
Irish horse racing fans have two more meetings to look forward to on Friday with action both over the sticks and on the flat as 15 races unfold across the day’s fixtures in support of Friday’s action in the United Kingdom.
The afternoon action sees a seven-race card take place at Down Royal on the flat; while jumps racing goes to post at Kilbeggan in the evening. We’ve taken a look at both of Friday’s Irish horse racing fixtures and give our best bets for Kilbeggan and Down Royal.
FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER IRISH RACING TIPS – BEST BETS FOR KILBEGGAN & DOWN ROYAL
2:00 Down Royal – Paddy Power Free Live Streaming On Our App Nursery Handicap (Plus 10 Race) (2yo) 7f
Jim Bolger has his team in decent fettle and VERBAL FENCING is taken to get off the mark here.
The Vocalised filly ran her best race to date when finishing third over this trip at the Curragh seven days ago, beaten just over one length with the reopposing Shambara behind her.
She can turn out here from the same rating although the presence of a 7lbs claiming rider eases her burden at the weights. The application of cheekpieces could also yield some improvement and she is chanced for her in-form yard to get off the mark on these terms.
2:35 Down Royal – Her Majesty’s Plate (Listed Race) (4yo+) 1m6f
BARBADOS showed some useful form last term for Aidan O’Brien which included finishing runner-up in the Queen’s Vase behind Dashing Willoughby and the Galileo colt was perhaps undone by the shorter trip at Killarney latest behind Bolivar.
Prior to that run which came on the back of a 53-day break Jessica Harrington’s charge had found only Twilight Payment too strong in the Vintage Crop Stakes at the Curragh and that form has since been boosted with the winner taking a Group Two on his next outing; while the third horse home had won the 2019 Irish Derby and chased home Enable on his latest outing in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
He isn’t judged too harshly on his latest outing where the trip might have been against him and back at a more suitable distance dropping into Listed company for this run then he could post a much better performance this time around.
Jessica Harrington can get amongst the winners at Down Royal on Friday.
3:10 Down Royal – Paddy Power HorseyMcHorseRace Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap (3yo+) 2m2f
WALKING ON GLASS was a shade disappointing in this sphere when faced with better ground at the Curragh in July; but given he had won either side of that start in much softer conditions then the Big Bad Bob gelding could be worth chancing here.
That latest success saw him strike over this distance at Galway, beating Conron by a head, and he has run well in defeat since over hurdles where he was beaten only one length into third behind Shanroe Al C at Sligo.
The form of his last flat win has taken a couple of small boosts and although he’s 4lbs higher in the weights here he has a good 7lbs claiming rider on board to ease his burden so he looks well treated as a result.
With trip and ground no issue then Padraig Roche’s charge could post a big effort here and no surprise to see him going well.
5:10 Kilbeggan – Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (4yo+) 2m
GOODBYE SOMEDAY has won two of his last three starts – both at Tramore – and John Kiely’s charge is taken to go in again.
The Stowaway gelding had finished fifth inbetween those successes at Galway behind Nibblers Charm, beaten the thick end of twenty lengths; but he bounced back from that disappointment with a five lengths’ defeat of Silver Star last month, scoring comfortably and the form has been boosted with both the third and fifth horses winning since.
He scored with plenty in hand when last seen and the handicapper has pushed him up 9lbs so more will be required from him. However the manner of that last-time win suggests he could still be improving and he’s reasonably low-mileage for a six-year old so every chance he can progress again to strike another win here.
6:40 Kilbeggan – Midland Breeders Supporting Kilbeggan Beginners Chase (4yo+) 2m4f
JACK HACKETT has some fair form over hurdles and the Beat Hollow gelding shaped quite well when faced with fences here last month, finding only one too good behind Funky Dady and beaten less than two lengths.
Dot Love’s charge travelled well into that contest, taking up the running on the run to the second last before relinquishing the lead at the last obstacle and he was unable to match the winner’s finishing effort although he was giving the winner 7lbs.
The third in that race was rated 120 and went close on his next outing so the form could prove quite fair and he is capable of improvement in this discipline so may well be able to progress and get off the mark with Cathal Landers’ 5lb claim a positive to his chances.